True and Unusual Animal Tales of Old New York
A few months ago, I had the pleasure of being the guest of Carl Raymond on his popular podcast, The Gilded Gentleman. Carl started his podcast in 2021, and it is now at an impressive #21 on Apple’s top history podcasts. During the hour-long program, I share many of my favorite cat stories of Old [ ] The post Hatching Cat Talks Grimalkins on the Gilded Gentleman appeared first on The Hatching Cat…
When a little black and white kitten fell from a ledge on Fifth Avenue, everyone who witnessed the event placed the blame on the ASPCA and the fire department. We ll never know who was at fault, but what I want to know is this: Was this in fact a pet cat of Charlotte Augusta Astor? [ ] The post 1894: The Astor Kitten Who Caused a Stir at 320 Fifth Avenue appeared first on The Hatching Cat of…
New York City financier Russell Sage, aka Uncle Russell, had a reputation on Wall Street as being a spendthrift, a workaholic, and a ruthless money lender without emotion. So when he failed to show up at work after offering a $10 reward for the return of his missing cat, his financial cronies thought he'd gone mad. The post 1905: Malta, the Wandering Cat of NYC Financier Russell Sage appeared…
A tale of cats, spiritual leaders, a war on rats, and a baptism by fire hose. In other words, this is not your average cat story. The post 1908: Haggerino the Harlem Tramp Cat of West 115th Street appeared first on The Hatching Cat of Gotham .
Cat artist Louis William Wain was not a New Yorker but he did live in New York for a few years, so there is a New York City connection to his amazing life story. In this post. I share some of Wain's reflections on Peter, his pet cat, and on New York City cats in general. (I even found out exactly where he lived when he was in New York City.) The post 1884: Peter, the Feline Muse of Famous Cat…
Sometimes I find a ridiculously absurd story that isn't specifically about a cat or dog or other animal, but I can't resist sharing it. This crazy "cat tale" of New York City’s Gilded Age involves a two-family home on Hart Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn, a large hole in the ceiling, an even larger sabre, a bit of indecent exposure (for those days), a court hearing, a street chase, and a few cameo…
In December 1912, a wealthy and well-known cat fancier from Brighton, Massachusetts decided that the Plaza Hotel in New York City was the perfect setting for a feline wedding for her two show cats. The post 1912: Don Dai, the Quakeress, and the Feline Wedding at the Plaza Hotel appeared first on The Hatching Cat of Gotham .
Cats About Town Walking Tours for NYC cat lovers are back! We have just posted available tours for May through August, which include a few early-evening and Friday afternoon tours, plus a brand-new tour of the Lower East Side/Bowery. The post CAT Walking Tours for NYC Cat Lovers Are Back: 2025 Bookings appeared first on The Hatching Cat of Gotham .
Tommy was a cat of remarkable beauty, but he also had strong lungs and fighting qualities. Mrs. Hall acquired the cat in 1887, and though he often wandered the neighborhood looking to stir things up, he never strayed far from home. That is, until the summer of 1895. The post 1895: The Comical Court Case of Tommy, the Stolen Cat of East 41st Street appeared first on The Hatching Cat of Gotham .
In March 1934, the newly-formed New York City Housing Authority kicked off its citywide slum clearance campaign. Buildings on Cherry, Madison, Roosevelt, Oak Street, and other old streets in the Two Bridges neighborhood were razed over the years to make way for large public housing developments. The men and cat of the old police station at 9 Oak Street were the last ones to leave the neighborhood.…